High-density optical connecting block

ABSTRACT

A high density optical connecting block  100  is mounted in a relatively thin, flat panel  10,  and is constructed as an array of identical cells  110  that are linked together as a one-piece unit. The connecting block has a front-to-back depth that is greater than ten millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel. The array includes at least twelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each cell has a front side that is shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector  50,  and a back side that is shaped to receive and interlock with two simplex optical plugs  20.  The duplex connector is a unifying structure that yokes a pair of simplex optical plugs  20 - 1, 20 - 2  into a duplex configuration. The duplex connector includes a pair of side-by-side cavities  153 - 153,  each having: (i) an opening at a back end that is shaped to receive a simplex optical plug, (ii) a tubular boss  58  for holding a cylindrical ferrule or a plastic optical fiber, the boss projecting into and out of the cavity from a front-end wall  57  of the cavity and having a central axis that is perpendicular to the front-end wall, and (iii) a retaining feature  54  for holding each simplex plug within the cavity. Additionally, the duplex connector includes latching members  55 - 55  on its top and bottom sides that interlock with the cell.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is related to application Ser. No. ______(Anderson 16-11-11), which is filed concurrently herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates generally to a device for coupling opticalfibers and, more particularly, to an apparatus that provides structuralrigidity in panel-mounted applications and enables high-density opticalfiber interconnections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Optical fiber systems require that optical signals be routed toone destination and periodically re-routed to another destination. Suchrouting takes place at various locations along a transmission path. Forexample, Lucent Technologies has designed an optical switch that uses256 or more movable mirrors to selectively route the paths of opticalsignals among a number of optical fibers that are coupled to the switch.The switch is generally administered through a connection panel thatterminates a large number of optical fibers, each of which terminates inan optical plug. Coupling apparatus is installed in the panel forenabling interconnection between individual pairs of optical plugs.

[0004] One example of optical coupling apparatus is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,274,729 that issued on Dec. 28, 1993 in the names of King et al.The King et al. reference discloses a number of “blocks” that areadapted for mounting to a panel through a plurality of openings providedtherein. The King et al. system further includes a number of“buildouts,” that are adapted to be removably attached to the blocksthat are mounted on the connection panel. Each connecting block includesa front aperture that forms a keyway, which is adapted to align andreceive a cylindrical boss that holds an alignment sleeve. And while theKing et al. system functions adequately, demand for an increasing numberof optical fiber connections has prompted the design of smaller opticalfiber plug connectors that occupy less space.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,634 issued on Jul. 8, 1997 and discloses alow-profile, optical fiber plug connector. Its design is advantageousbecause it has a smaller footprint than any of its predecessorconnectors and therefore requires less panel space. But while thedevelopment of the LC connector has shown that an optical plug connectorcan be successfully reduced in size, such size reduction is wastedunless the panel-mounted connecting hardware can accommodate anincreased density of such reduced-size optical plugs.

[0006] An optical coupling apparatus that uses the LC plug connector isshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,043, which discloses a jack receptacle thatsnaps into a connecting panel. The receptacle is fully assembled priorto panel mounting, which means that the type of optical plugs that canbe used on the panel is fixed at the time of installation. And in orderto accommodate the installation and removal of optical plugs, adjacentrows of optical ports are inverted with respect to each other in orderto enable a user to operate the cantilever latches it may not beconvenient to construct an array of jack receptacles having more thantwo rows since the optical plugs are inverted for accessibility to theirlatches. Such inversion may even lead to connection error in a situationwhere duplex optical connectors are used because the left-to-rightorientation of the transmitting and receiving fibers is reversed betweenrows.

[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide connecting hardware foruse in a connection panel that enables high-density opticalinterconnections between optical plug connectors. Additionally, it isdesirable that the connecting hardware accommodate duplex opticalconnectors, and that the duplex optical connectors accommodate differenttypes of optical plugs. Finally, it is desirable that the connectinghardware have a uniform structure throughout so that left-to-rightreversals of transmitting and receiving fibers are avoided when duplexconnectors are used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A high-density optical connecting block is designed to mount in agenerally flat panel and includes a number of interlocked horizontal andvertical ribs that form an array of cells. The array includes at leasttwelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or morecolumns. The front side of each cell includes recesses that are shapedto receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each cell has a backside that is shaped to receive and interlock with a pair of individualoptical plugs. Preferably, the connecting block is molded as a unitarystructure from a polymeric material and includes thirty-six cells, whichare disposed in three rows and twelve columns. Also, preferably, theconnecting block includes keying features on opposite sides thereof sothat when they are mounted side-by-side in a panel, adjacent connectingblocks can only be installed in one orientation.

[0010] In the illustrative embodiment, the front side of the connectingblock further includes a pair of openings for receiving guide membersthat are positioned on the top and bottom sides of the duplex opticalconnector, and each opening includes a retaining surface molded thereinfor interlocking with the guide members on the duplex connector.Moreover, the openings are shaped to allow the duplex connector to fitinto a cell in only one orientation. Illustratively, the vertical andhorizontal ribs have a front-to-back depth that is greater than 10millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] The invention and its mode of operation will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description when read with theappended drawing in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a panel-mountedconnecting block receiving a duplex connector in its front side andindividual optical plugs in its back side;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of a preferred embodimentof the connecting block having 36 cells;

[0014]FIG. 3 discloses a front view of a pair of adjacent cells withinthe connecting block;

[0015]FIG. 4 discloses a back view of the pair of adjacent cells shownin FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a back-end perspective view of a duplex opticalconnector;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a front-end perspective view of the duplex connector;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a front-end view of the duplex connector;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a side cross-section view of the duplex connector; and

[0020]FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section view of the duplex opticalconnector of FIG. 8 having an optical plug inserted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention relates to the hardware used in makinginterconnections between optical plugs such as described above. Asdiscussed above, panel-mounted connections were previously provided viaindividual buildout blocks and buildouts; or by mounting jackreceptacles to a panel to receive small groups of optical plugs.However, such arrangements have: (i) involved far too many individualcomponents that were manually assembled; (ii) have not impartedsufficient rigidity to the panel; and (iii) have not provided sufficientconnection density. All of these drawbacks are overcome by the apparatusshown in FIG. 1, which includes a connecting block 100 and a duplexconnector 50 that are suitable for use in a connecting panel 10.

[0022]FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an assemblycomprising a panel-mounted connecting block 100, a duplex connector 50,and a number of optical plugs 20. The purpose of such an assembly is tocentralize and administer interconnections between optical fibers. Forexample, one optical fiber is contained within optical cable 30-1 andanother optical fiber is contained within optical cable 30-3. Thesecables respectively terminate in optical plugs 20-1 and 20-3. Connectingblock 100 and duplex connector 50 facilitate the interconnection betweenthese optical plugs. For the purpose of illustration, the optical plugs20 shown in FIG. 1 are LC-type plug connectors of the type discussedabove. Nevertheless, the present invention may be used with other knownoptical plugs as well as optical plugs not yet in existence. Eachoptical plug 20 comprises a generally rectilinear housing 22 having anopening through which a ferrule 21 protrudes. Each ferrule 21 contains aoptical fiber (not visible) that extends from the tip of the ferrule,through the optical plug 20, to an optical cable 30. Each optical plug20 is provided with a latching tab 25 that is positioned on its top sidein order to interlock with an associated receptacle.

[0023] Panel 10 is provided with a number of elongated continuous slots14-1, 14-2 that are adapted to accommodate one or more connecting blocks100. Illustratively, the panel is made from relatively thin steel (e.g.,about 2.3 millimeters). As shown, slots 14-1 and 14-2 are sized toreceive a single connecting block 100, although it is contemplated thatsome or all of the horizontal bars in the panel 10 can be eliminated sothat a number of connecting blocks can be stacked directly on top ofeach other. In that situation, it may be desirable to provide matingfeatures (e.g., tabs and slots) on the top and bottom sides of eachconnecting block for improved rigidity.

[0024] The connecting block 100 is preferably molded from a resilientpolymeric material such as polyetherimide (PEI) as a one-piecestructure. It has a waffle-like structure of interlocked horizontal 150and vertical 160 ribs, which form cells and provide structural integrityto the panel. The ribs 150, 160 have a front-to-back depth that isgreater than 10 millimeters (mm). In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the ribs have a depth of about 13 mm. A flange 101 thatcircumscribes the connecting block further enhances rigidity. In thepreferred embodiment, the flange has a front-to-back depth of about 6mm. An important feature of the connecting block 100 is that it isconstructed as an array of identical cells 110, each being substantiallyidentical to the others in size, shape and orientation, and each beingdesigned to receive a duplex connector in its front side. This isparticularly advantageous because it is convenient to organize fibersinto pairs—one for each direction of transmission. Moreover, connectingblock 100 provides accurate interconnections in a structure havingrelaxed tolerances. This is because dimensional accuracy is importantwithin each cell to assure proper mating with a duplex connector, butnot particularly important between cells.

[0025] Suitable interconnection density and flexural rigidity areprovided when the cells of the connecting block number at least twelveand are arrayed into at least two rows and at least two columns. Eachconnecting block is held within a slot 14-1 in the panel 10 by fastenerssuch as screws and nuts (not shown) that fit through one or more eyelets111, 122, 123 that are positioned on opposite sides of the connectingblock 100. Mating holes 11 are provided in the panel 10 for receivingthe screw. The eyelets and screws could be replaced by protrusions thatare molded in the connecting block at similar locations. Additionally,recesses 112, 113, 121 are provided on opposite sides of the connectingblock that are shaped to be intermatable with the eyelets when theconnecting blocks are positioned side by side. Significantly, theeyelets and recesses are keyed to prevent adjacent connecting blocksfrom be installed improperly (i.e., upside down and/or reversed fromfront to back). It is noted that the connecting block 100 can bedesigned to avoid the need for auxiliary fastening hardware (e.g.,screws and nuts) by molding wedge-shaped tabs in the region behind theeyelets and recesses that enable the connecting block 100 to be snappedinto the panel slot 14-1.

[0026] The connecting block 100 is used in conjunction with a number ofduplex connectors 50 that individually yoke a pair of simplex opticalplugs 20-1, 20-2 into a duplex configuration. Each duplex connector 50includes a pair of side-by-side optical ports 153-153, each portincluding internal walls that define a cavity. As illustratively shownin FIG. 1, the cavities are shaped to receive LC-type optical plugs 20-1and 202. Each cavity further includes a tubular boss 58 that extendsthrough a front wall of the cavity for receiving an optical fiber, whichis contained within the ferrule 21. It is understood that when plasticfiber is used, ferrules are not needed because plastic fibers typicallyhave a much larger diameter (i.e., about 1 mm) than a glass fiber, whichhas a diameter of only 125 microns. Nevertheless, when the optical plughas a ferrule containing a glass fiber, alignment between abuttingferrules is preferably accomplished via a cylindrical alignment sleeve60, which is disposed within the boss 58 and dimensioned to receive aferrule in each of its ends. Each cavity 153 is designed to receive andinterlock with an optical plug 20 installed therein. When LC-typeoptical plugs are used, the cavity has a generally rectangular openingand includes a retaining feature on an internal wall of the cavity thatinterlocks with the latching tab 25 on the top side of optical plug 20.

[0027] Duplex connector 50 further includes guide members 51 and 52 onits top and bottom sides respectively, and each guide member includes alatch 55 that is designed to interlock with the particular cell 110 thatultimately receives the duplex connector.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of a preferred embodimentof a connecting block 200. It is similar in all respects to theconnecting block 100 shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that it includestwice as many cells 210 as are contained in connecting block 100.Nevertheless, since each cell is self contained and designed to receivea single duplex optical connector 50, the connecting block can be madearbitrarily large without substantial concern for overall dimensionaltolerances, as would be the case if the connector held 12 optical plugs.

[0029]FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show front and back views of a pair ofadjacent cells 210-210 within connecting block 200. Cell 210, forexample, is shaped to receive a duplex connector 50 (FIGS. 5-9) in itsfront side as shown in FIG. 3. Openings 213 and 214 are shaped toreceive the tongue-like projections 51, 52 that are positioned on thetop and bottom sides of the connector 50 in only one orientation. Toaccomplish this, opening 214 is made slightly wider than opening 213.Additionally, each opening 213, 214 contains a retaining feature (i.e.,internal ledges 256-1 and 256-2) that is shaped to interlock with amating feature 56 on the top and/or bottom sides of duplex connector 50as shown in FIG. 9. Openings 211 and 212 are passages through theconnecting block for enabling a pair of optical fibers to beinterconnected. Each of the fibers is held within a separate opticalplug, and the pair of optical plugs are inserted into opposite sides ofthe same opening (e.g., opening 211). The front side of each cell 210 isadapted to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector 50,whereas the back side of each cell is adapted to receive and interlockwith a pair of simplex optical plugs 20-3 and 20-4 as shown in FIG. 1.These simplex optical plugs 20-3 and 20-4 each include a latching tab 25having shoulders 24 that interlock with retaining features (i.e.,internal ledges 224-224) that are molded into the connecting block asbest seen in FIG. 3. Opening 254 in the connecting block is created bythe tool used for molding these internal ledges 224-224.

[0030] Duplex Optical Connector

[0031]FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show perspective views of a duplex opticalconnector 50, which is designed to be easily and accurately installedinto a mating receptacle. In particular, the duplex connector 50 is aunifying structure that functions to yoke a pair of simplex opticalplugs 20-1, 20-2 (see FIG. 1) into a duplex configuration. Known duplexconfigurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,929; U.S. Pat. No.5,123,071; U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,487; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,425.However, such configurations lack a number of advantages includingdimensional stability, replacement ease of a simplex plug, and a commoninterlocking feature with a mating receptacle 110 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] Duplex connector 50 includes a pair of side-by-side optical portsthat individually include a number of internal walls that define acavity 153. Each cavity 153 has an opening in a back end of the duplexconnector 50 that is shaped to receive a predetermined optical plug. Ina preferred embodiment of the duplex connector, the opening is generallyrectangular and the predetermined optical plug is an LC optical plug,which is disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,634 and U.S.Pat. No. 5,923,805. Nevertheless, it is understood that the cavities153-153 within the duplex connector 50 could be shaped to receive otherkinds of optical plugs, preferably those having low profiles.

[0033] Tongue-like projections 51, 52 are disposed on the top and bottomsides of the connector 50 and perform a number of valuable functions.The forward ends of the projections 51, 52 are tapered to facilitateinsertion into a mating receptacle. Moreover, projection 52 is slightlywider than projection 51 to provide “keying” that prevents improper(upside down) insertion of the duplex connector into the receptacle.Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the tongue-like projections 51,52 provide additional strength to withstand side-loading forces thatwould otherwise be transferred to brittle, ceramic alignment sleeves60-60 (see FIG. 1) that may reside within bosses 58-58. Such sideloading typically occurs when the duplex connector 50 is being removedfrom a mating receptacle.

[0034] Bosses 58-58 are tubular in construction and have an insidediameter of about 1.8 millimeters (mm). A bifurcation 59 is provided inone end of each boss that facilitates insertion of an alignment sleeve60 (see FIG. 1), which functions to axially align the cylindricalferrules that are associated with a pair or optical plugs (e.g., 20-1and 20-3) that are to be interconnected. Alignment sleeves 60-60 may bemade from metal, but are generally made from a ceramic material such aszirconia. They have a slightly smaller outside diameter than the insidediameter of the bosses and are able to “float” within the boss. A pairof cylindrical ferrules 21 (FIG. 1) having outer diameters of about 1.25mm are inserted into opposite ends of the same alignment sleeve 60during service. In this illustrative embodiment, a glass fiber (diameterabout 125 microns) is held within a bore that extends along the centralaxis of each ferrule 21. In an alternate embodiment, the glass fiber andferrule are replaced with a plastic fiber as shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,923,805 whose outside diameter conforms to the inside diameter of theboss 58. It is noted that alignment sleeves are not necessary whenplastic fiber is used. The dimensions provided in this paragraph areillustrative only, and are based on the preferred use of LC-type opticalplugs.

[0035] Flexible latching members 55-55 are disposed on the top andbottom sides of the duplex connector 50, and each contains awedge-shaped retaining feature 56 that is adapted to cooperate withcorresponding mating feature within each cell 210 of a connecting block200. More specifically, mating features 256-1 and 256-2 reside withinopenings 213, 214 of cell 210 as shown in FIG. 4. Illustratively, theduplex connector is molded from thermoplastic material such aspolycarbonate.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a front-end view of the duplex optical connector 50showing various details of its construction. Tubular bosses 58 projectfrom the front wall 57 of the connector 50 and provide an opening 158through which an optical fiber can pass and be connected, end to end, toanother optical fiber. Guide members 51, 52 are the tongue-likeprojections that function to guide the duplex connector 50 into a cellof a connecting block 100, 200 or other receptacle. And while guidemembers 51, 52 are not required, they provide the valuable functionsdiscussed above.

[0037]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the various openings 153, 154, 158 intothe connector 50 and their relative positioning in greater detail.Opening 153 in the back end of the connector 50 is shaped to receive andhold a simplex optical plug 20 in the manner disclosed in FIG. 9. A toolthat is used during the molding process to form retaining features 54within the connector that interlock with the optical plug createsopening 154. In particular, retaining feature 54 is designed to beintermatable with shoulders 24 on the latching tab 25 of an LC-typeoptical plug 20 (see FIG. 9). It is understood that different kinds ofretaining features can be molded into the duplex connector 50 toaccommodate different kinds of optical plugs. Finally, opening 158extends completely through the connector, from its back side to itsfront side, to enable interconnection between optical fibers,

[0038]FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section view of the duplex opticalconnector of FIG. 8 having an optical plug 20 inserted therein. Asillustrated, a ferrule 21 projects from the front end of the plughousing 22 and contains an optical fiber (not shown) that is disposedalong its central axis. This ferrule 21 is held within a tubularalignment sleeve 60 that includes a slot along its length that allowsits diameter to expand slightly and maintain a radial alignment force oneach of the ferrules (only one is shown) that are inserted into theopposite ends of the sleeve 60. The sleeve has an outer diameter that isless than the inner diameter of the boss 58, and is free to movetherein. A bifurcation 59 in the boss 58 is shown most clearly in FIG. 6and enables the boss 58 to flex during insertion of the alignment sleeve60 during manufacture. Such flexing is necessary because the endportions of the boss need to smaller than the alignment sleeve to keepit from becoming dislodged during service and handling. FIG. 9illustrates the interaction between a shoulder 24 on the latching tab 25of the optical plug and the retaining feature 54 within the duplexconnector 50. This interaction holds the optical plug 20 within theduplex connector. The optical plug is released by simultaneouslydepressing the latching tab 25 and pulling the plug away from theconnector 50.

[0039] In a similar manner, the duplex connector itself is held withinanother receptacle (e.g., cell 210 of connecting block 200 shown inFIGS. 3 and 4). The flexible latching members 55-55 on the top andbottom sides of the duplex connector 50 function in the same manner asthe latching tab 25 on the optical plug 20; and the wedge-shapedretaining features 56-56 function in the same manner as the shoulder 24on the optical plug. The duplex connector 50 is released from the cell210 by simultaneously depressing both latching members 55-55 and pullingthe duplex connector away from the cell. For completeness, the opticalplug 20 is shown terminating an optical cable 30 with a bend-limitingboot 40 disposed at the junction between the cable 30 and the opticalplug 20. The boot 40 is made from an elastomeric material, and itfunctions to preclude severe bending of the optical fiber, which wouldincrease the transmission loss of the optical fiber.

[0040] Although various particular embodiments of the present inventionhave been shown and described, modifications are possible within thescope of the invention. These modifications include, but are not limitedto the use of: different materials in the construction of the connectingblock and duplex connector; different kinds of optical plugs havingdifferent latching features; and the use of optical cables and plugsthat are designed to accommodate plastic optical fiber.

1. A high-density, optical connecting block for mounting in a generallyflat panel, said connecting block comprising a plurality of interlockedhorizontal and vertical ribs that form cells, each cell beingsubstantially identical to the others in size, shape and orientation,and each cell including a front side having recesses that are shaped toreceive and interlock with a duplex optical connector, said connectingblock comprising at least twelve cells that are disposed in an arraycomprising at least two rows and at least two columns.
 2. The opticalconnecting block of claim 1 wherein the interlocked horizontal andvertical ribs have a front-to-back depth that exceeds ten millimetersthereby providing flexural rigidity to the panel.
 3. The opticalconnecting block of claim 1 wherein said connecting block is molded as aunitary structure from a polymeric material.
 4. The optical connectingblock of claim 1 wherein said connecting block comprises at leasteighteen cells that are disposed in an array comprising at least threerows and at least six columns.
 5. The optical connecting block of claim4 wherein said connecting block comprises at least thirty-six cells thatare disposed in an array comprising at least three rows and at leasttwelve columns.
 6. The optical connecting block of claim 1 wherein theback side of the connecting block includes pairs of optical ports, eachpair being associated with one cell and each port comprising a pluralityof internal walls that define a cavity that includes: (i) a generallyrectangular entrance for receiving the optical plug, and (ii) aretaining surface that is molded into a top portion of the cavity forholding the optical plug within the cavity.
 7. The optical connectingblock of claim 1 wherein the front side of the connecting block includesa plurality of cells, each cell including at least one opening forreceiving a guide member on the duplex optical connector, said openingincluding a retaining feature molded therein for interlocking with theguide member on the duplex connector.
 8. The optical connecting block ofclaim 7 wherein each cell includes a pair of openings for receivingguide members on the duplex optical connector, said openings beingdisposed at the top and bottom sides of each cell.
 9. The opticalconnecting block of claim 8 wherein said pair of openings in each cellhave different shapes, which preclude the duplex connector from beinginserted into the cell in more than one orientation.
 10. In combination,a connecting block and a plurality of duplex optical connectors, theconnecting block comprising: an array of substantially identical cellsthat are molded into a one-piece unit, the array comprising at leasttwelve cells that are arrayed in two or more rows and two or morecolumns, each cell including a front side that is shaped to receive aduplex optical connector, each cell including a first retaining featurethat is shaped to interlock with the duplex connector, each cell furtherincluding a back side with a pair of optical receptacles havinggenerally rectangular entrances for receiving a pair of optical plugs,and each optical receptacle having a second retaining feature that isshaped to interlock with the optical plug, each duplex optical connectorcomprising: a pair of side-by-side optical ports, each port including aplurality of internal walls that define a cavity having: (i) an openingin a back end thereof that is shaped to receive a predetermined opticalplug, (ii) a tubular boss for holding a cylindrical ferrule, said bossprojecting from a wall at a front end of the connector, and (iii) aretaining feature within the cavity for holding the predeterminedoptical plug within the cavity; and a latching member that is disposedon at least one outside surface of the duplex connector for engagementwith the first retaining feature of the cell for interlocking the duplexconnector with the cell.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein theconnecting block comprises at least eighteen cells that are disposed inan array comprising at least three rows and at least six columns. 12.The combination of claim 11 wherein the connecting block comprises atleast thirty-six cells that are disposed in an array comprising at leastthree rows and at least twelve columns.
 13. The combination of claim 10wherein the duplex connector includes a pair of tongue-like projectionsthat are disposed on its top and bottom sides for guiding the duplexconnector into the cell during insertion.
 14. The combination of claim10 wherein the duplex connector further includes an alignment sleevethat is disposed within the tubular boss.